Massachusetts GOP chair race signals rift in state party

Kirsten Hughes and Rick Green are both aiming to become the chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party, which will elect its new leader on Jan. 31 at the Verve Crowne Plaza in Natick at 7 p.m. (Submitted Photos)

If a people divided truly can't stand on their own accord, then the Massachusetts Republican Party may have trouble pulling out a win in the anticipated special election to fill Democratic U.S. Sen. John Kerry's Senate seat if it doesn't unite and refocus for the new year.

With Kerry expected to be confirmed as the next secretary of state this Thursday, exactly one week later the Bay State's minority party will elect a new leader.

The remaining candidates for the job are Rick Green, a state committeeman who built a successful online auto parts distribution business; and Kirsten Hughes, a Quincy city councilor and the deputy financial director for former Sen. Scott Brown's 2012 campaign.

Both Green and Hughes have racked up impressive lists of endorsements, but a look at the names on their respective websites provides a picture of a fragmented Massachusetts Republican Party.

In simpler times, a Hughes' win may have been a no-brainer as Brown, the most notable state GOP politician, tossed his support behind the former campaign staffer. But despite the nearly unanimous in-party support for Brown, should he decide to run in a Senate special election, Republicans across the state don't necessarily agree on who is the best candidate to take the party's helm.

The Massachusetts Republican Party ended 2012 with just over $700,000 in its account as it faces the challenge of running a candidate, perhaps former Republican U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, against Democratic U.S. Rep. Ed Markey in a special election for John Kerry's Senate seat.

Both candidates have said they plan to unite the party and bring those with differing views about its direction to the table to discuss its future. And as part of their respective platforms, Green and Hughes both plan to swell the party's ranks beyond the current 11 percent enrollment and develop a new generation of Republicans by focusing on local races across the state.

But the nearly split endorsements reflect varying opinions about who will not just talk the talk, but bring the party new successes.

"The Massachusetts Republican Assembly is pleased that under Rick Green, Massachusetts Republicans would no longer be marginalized by the progressive litmus test being imposed by the current regime," the group said in a statement. "Mr. Green has pledged to give ALL Republican activists equal representation, with a seat at the policy table, including those who uphold family values."

Green has also landed support from Western Mass. Republican state representatives Donald Humason and Nick Boldyga, who feel his style is best suited to take the party forward.

Humason, a Westfield Republican who represents the 4th Hampden District, said Green reached out to him personally and, following a couple conversations, earned his support.

"I typically don't get involved in party races but when he spoke about where he thought he could help take the party, I thought he was a real fireball," Humason said. "With his background in online business, he talked about revamping the state party's use of social media and the Internet to connect the town and city Republicans across the state. He also spoke of the state party fundraising for not just U.S. Senate and gubernatorial candidates but also those at the bottom of the ticket. Fundraising is the worst part of the job so to hear he would focus on candidates at all levels appealed to me."

Dean Cavaretta, who withdrew from the race in mid-January, recently threw his support behind Hughes saying that her approach to politics would equal success for the party.

"Kirsten and I agree that more urban outreach and greater direct candidate support, especially down ballot is essential. She is also open to introducing effective 2014 ballot questions which could re-frame and strengthen our overall message to voters, while uniting Republican moderates, libertarians and social conservatives," Cavaretta wrote in endorsing Hughes. "She agrees as I do that after several disappointing election cycles, we must think anew in reaching unaffiliated voters who are both fed up with Democratic politics as usual and worried about the future of the Commonwealth and our country."

Hughes has also landed endorsements from former Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey and state Sen. Michael Knapik.

The Republican State Committee will elect a new party chair at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31 at the Verve Crowne Plaza in Natick.

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